Homeowners and businesses in the centre of York face another day of mopping up after one of the worst spells of flooding in its history.

Insurance assessors say the cost is likely to run into millions of pounds even though many people simply cannot afford to pay premiums and will have to carry the burden of paying for repairs.

The Queen's Hotel on the bank of the River Ouse in the city centre has been closed for the past two nights, losing more than £10,000 in accommodation bookings alone.

Manager Kim Green said: "For us because we're so near the river - you don't get insurance so we're not covered for any flood damage or loss of revenue. It's the risk you take when you have a business this near to the river."

Losses to the tourism industry are expected to be substantial with restaurants, museums and theatres all suffering.

Image Caption:Emergency crews have been rescuing stranded residents

Flooding has closed the Grand Opera House for only the second time in its 110-year history. Performances have been cancelled until staff can be sure it is safe to re-open.

Manager Lizzie Richards said the hundreds of people who have bought tickets will either get their money back or will be able to use them for rescheduled performances.

"It's a real shame for everyone, not just at the Opera House but for the performers and all of those people who were looking forward to seeing a show," she said.

Monday is expected to be the earliest before the venue can consider re-opening.

Speaking near Leeman Road where the Government has approved funding for a £3.2m scheme, Cllr James Alexander said: "If we had defences in the first place we wouldn't have some of the flooding we've had."

The Environment Agency apologised to residents but said that everything had to be right before construction began.

Around 570 properties have been flooded across England and Wales as a result of what has been described as the most intense September storm for 30 years.

In Newcastle, a block of flats which had its foundations washed away by severe flooding will be demolished after experts said it was "beyond saving".

The decision leaves dozens of families evacuated from Spencer Court, which was only built in 2006, uncertain about their future

Although there are still around 30 warnings of possible flooding in place, mostly in the North East, elsewhere in the country the situation is improving and river levels are receding.

The Met Office said the severe weather is the result of the unusual position of the jet stream - a high-altitude band of wind which steers weather systems. It caused heavy rain and floods in the summer when it shifted further south than normal.